BY LYDIA IBRAHIM GASI, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | 09:37 AM
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defense, to relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 schoolgirls.
The president gave the directive after receiving reports that gunmen kidnapped the students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 4 a.m. on Monday.
He instructed Matawalle to remain in the state and oversee all security efforts to rescue the abducted students.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, the president emphasized the urgency of the operation.
President Tinubu said Matawalle’s experience in handling mass kidnappings in Zamfara makes him suitable to coordinate the rescue mission.
He recalled the 2021 Jangebe incident where 279 female students were abducted and later released on 2 March under Matawalle’s administration.
The minister is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday to begin on-ground coordination with security agencies.
We earlier reported that President Tinubu postponed his planned trips to Johannesburg and Luanda to focus on national security briefings.
He is receiving updates on both the Kebbi school abduction and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the abducted students are rescued and reunited with their families.
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